by Karen Kogler
October 2005Pastor Alex Merlo often talks about doors in a conversation. He talks of looking for doors, of trying to choose the right door, and of doors God has opened. For Pastor Merlo, doors are ways to minister to people and to bring God's love to them. He and the people of his congregation, San Pablo Lutheran in Aurora, have many years of experience in trying different doors. Recently God has opened a new and a very big door for them!
Pastor Merlo immigrated to the U.S. at age 20 from his native Honduras, a mountainous country in Central America. Working as a day laborer in Chicago, he worshipped at La Santisima Trinidad (Holy Trinity) Lutheran Church, where he married his wife Maria. His pastor, Juan Martin, encouraged him to consider the ministry. Despite concerns about cost, supporting his family, and his own qualifications for ministry, in 1988 he enrolled in the Hispanic Institute of Theology, a part of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.
He continued to work while studying, at one time holding three jobs. It was a very difficult time. His professors encouraged him not to give up, and Maria was most supportive. "God is calling you," she said. "Don't disappoint the Lord."
Pastor Merlo's connection to Aurora began in 1994, while he was studying through the Institute. At that time, the ministry, Christo Principe de Paz (Christ the Prince of Peace), was a joint ministry of St. Pauls and Emmanuel Lutheran Churches in Aurora. In 2000, the Hispanic ministry merged with St. Pauls congregation and changed its name to San Pablo. Pastor Merlo, having been ordained in 1996, was called as a full-time pastor, serving alongside St. Pauls pastor, Jock Ficken.
Now the new door is opening. St. Pauls congregation has voted to move their congregation to their second campus, on the western side of Aurora, and to birth a new Hispanic congregation, San Pablo, at their original site, selling them the historic building in downtown Aurora. San Pablo is now a new, autonomous congregation, and owns a large facility for ministry.
"The people of San Pablo have great faith," says St. Pauls Pastor Ficken. "It's exciting to see them moving forward in the Kingdom and reaching people with the Gospel. A few months ago they confirmed 19 adults who have confessed faith in Jesus Christ! I'm excited to be personally supporting this incredible mission endeavor."
September 18, 2005 was the last Anglo worship service of St. Pauls in the downtown building. "There's a lot of sadness," Pastor Merlo says. "I have a lot of sadness. I will miss my Anglo brothers." But he and Pastor Ficken see this split as beneficial to the ministries of both the old and the new congregation, allowing each to focus more on outreach to their community. "This is a huge step for us," Pastor Merlo says. "But we have to take it. We have a lot of support: from Pastor Ficken with his vision; Paul Maras, St. Pauls Executive Director, who has a passion for Hispanic ministry; the churches in our circuit 23 who are 100% supportive; and our many friends in the District. I know a lot of people are praying for me and for San Pablo. I feel very comfortable that God is leading this."
Ministry is at the heart of the people of San Pablo, as Pastor Merlo helps them explore doors to ministry in their community. English as a Second Language (ESL) classes have been one of the most effective doors. Last school year they taught 140 students in the ESL classes, providing childcare for 50 children of students. Six people in the most recent adult confirmation class first came to San Pablo through ESL. Vacation Bible School reaches out to the many children in the neighborhood and, through them, to the parents. This past February, 19 adults were confirmed, 6 of whom were introduced to San Pablo through the ESL classes.
The Hispanic community in Aurora is diverse. In addition to new immigrants and second-generation Hispanics, the community, which has had an Hispanic community for 50-60 years, includes many self-identified Hispanics who speak limited Spanish. So early in 2006 the church plans to start an "English worship service with a Latino flavor" as an outreach to English-speaking neighbors. Their church is for "everyone who lives around here," says Pastor Merlo.
Pastor Merlo says "evangelism is one-on-one;" individuals reaching out to individuals with the love of Christ. And he has many stories of how God reaches out to individuals. (Three are located here.)
Pastor Merlo looks to the future. "God is opening a door for us, not for us to have pride in what we do, but to honor God, His love and sacrifice for us, by taking faithful steps. We go through this door only by faith. When Jesus told His disciples to feed all the people with the five loaves and two fish, the disciples might have looked at each other and said, 'What's wrong with Him?' I sometimes ask God, 'Why are you asking me to do this? How are we going to be able to do this?' But I don't want to doubt. I'd rather die trying to do something for the Lord, than die saying I didn't have enough faith to try, didn't want to take chances. I don't want to bury my talent in the ground."
"Keep us in your prayers."
Video of Pastor Merlo
Story: "Seeing God's Plan"
Page Last Updated: 8/24/2007 3:04:13 PM
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